Matt Forte wasn't joking about wanting to coach for Bears in 2018

June 20 (UPI) -- Longtime Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte says he wasn't joking when he made a Twitter pitch to reunite with his former team as a coach.

Forte, 32, made the original offer on June 13. He was responding to a post from ESPN's Adam Schefter, who reported that the Denver Broncos were hiring former linebacker DeMarcus Ware as a pass-rush consultant on a part-time basis.

He also said "coach Forte" had a "nice ring to it." Forte played eight seasons for the Bears after being selected in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. The two-time Pro Bowl selection joined the New York Jets in 2016.

Forte finished his career 204 yards shy of 10,000 rushing yards. He also wrapped up his pro football tenure with 14,468 yards from scrimmage.

The Tulane product was known as a dynamic talent out of the backfield throughout his time in the league. He piled up a career-best 102 catches for 808 yards from the running back position in 2014 with the Bears.

"I am forever indebted to Jimmie and Dolores Daniels and the city of Chicago because not only did I get to live out my childhood dream in playing for the Bears, but also it was here where I fell in love with my beautiful wife, Danielle, and started a family of my own," Forte said in his retirement announcement.

Forte signed a one-day contract in April in order to officially retire as a member of the Bears. He ranks second in Bears history in rushing yards, receiving yards by a running back, yards from scrimmage, 100 yard rushing games, scrimmage yards per game and games with at least 150 yards from scrimmage, trailing the legendary Walter Payton.